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Kentucky coach John Calipari ejected early

By Darrell Bird, The Sports Xchange

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Saturday's showdown for first place in the SEC between No. 22 Kentucky and South Carolina started with an unexpected bang as Wildcats coach John Calipari was ejected just 2:26 into the game.

On Carolina's first trip, forward Michael Carrera scored on an offensive outback after flying in over the top of Kentucky players for a rebound. On its second trip, Mindaugas Kacinas was called for an offensive rebound foul.

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Calipari, knowing that the Gamecocks are physical and the best offensive rebounding team in the league, screamed at official Doug Sirmons about the play.

Sirmons immediately hit Calipari with a technical foul even though the foul call had gone in Kentucky's favor. The Hall of Fame coach went ballistic, storming to midcourt with Kentucky guards Jamal Murray and Isaiah Briscoe forcefully trying to restrain their coach.

Sirmons then hit Calipari with a second technical, resulting in his ejection from the game.

Kentucky led 5-2 at the time of the technical foul, but instead of folding the Wildcats went on a strong run against Carolina. Kentucky led 42-27 at the half as sophomore guard Tyler Ulis scored 14 points.

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Assistant coach Kenny Payne took over for Calipari. Kentucky media relations said Calipari would not be available after the game and that Payne would handle the post-game press conference.

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